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Poll: Americans are anxious, pessimistic and deeply unhappy with Trump ahead of the midterms
The share of Americans who believe the country is on the wrong track is at the highest level of the president’s second term, according to the NBC News Decision Desk Poll.
Magic mushroom ingredient takes the fight out of aggressive fish
A psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms appears to have an unexpected effect: calming highly aggressive fish. Researchers discovered that low doses of psilocybin significantly reduced aggressive attacks in mangrove rivulus fish without disrupting their normal social interactions. The findings suggest psilocybin may selectively calm escalating aggression rather than simply suppressing all behavior.
Physicists create a bizarre new quantum state called a fractional fermi sea
Physicists have discovered a strange new state of quantum matter in which ultracold atoms defy familiar organizational rules, forming a highly excited yet surprisingly orderly configuration called a "fractional Fermi sea." The discovery challenges established quantum theories and hints at exotic quasiparticles that scientists have dubbed potential "super-Fermions."
Scientists link a strange sugar in red meat to a 63% higher diabetes risk
A study of nearly 90,000 adults found that people consuming the most of a little-known sugar found in red meat had a 63% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Scientists suspect the sugar may trigger chronic inflammation, potentially revealing a hidden connection between red meat and diabetes that goes beyond weight gain.
Eye on Politics: Texas elections heat up as early voting kicks into high gear
Consumer apprehension grows as US retailers adopt AI-assisted pricing tools
U.S. consumers aren't just frustrated with high prices. They're angry and confused about the increasingly high-tech ways that restaurant chains and major retailers are setting those prices.
Scientists Uncover a Hidden Factor That Could Change How We Manage Diabetes
Timing may matter in insulin-treated type 2 diabetes; patients with the steadiest daily rhythms were 2.3 times as likely to meet blood sugar goals, while afternoon activity was linked to smaller swings. People with type 2 diabetes who use insulin need to keep blood glucose from climbing too high or falling too low. In a
Scientists Discover a Surprising New Effect of a Popular Blood Pressure Drug
A drug for high blood pressure could inspire future treatments for people with normal readings, thanks to an unexpected effect on the body’s energy-burning fat. Losartan already helps people control high blood pressure. New research suggests it could have a second use in activating brown fat, a tissue that burns energy to produce heat and
Opinion: The hidden billing practices raising healthcare costs
Written by Tom Stephens, Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans The hidden billing practices raising healthcare costs Sophisticated new mark-up schemes, provider consolidation, and dated diagnosis criteria are all impacting Kentuckians There is no single explanation for America’s high healthcare costs. But any serious effort to control them must start with hospitals. […]
Why someone paid $2.8 million for a bottle of Macallan whiskey
A staggering sum paid for a bottle of whiskey this month begs the question: what goes into the price of such high-flying booze?
Uber driver struggles with gas costs in Southern California
Matthew Guerrero, an Uber driver in Southern California, discusses the financial challenges of driving, impacted by high gas costs and low tips.
‘Extraordinary health care professionals’ carry her through darkest moments
Tiffney Lane is a breast cancer survivor thanks to her team at Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, part of Jefferson Health.
Dementia rates are high in Louisiana. These experts have tips to keep our brains healthy.
There are simple ways to reduce your risks of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive issues. Doctors share their advice for better diets, sleep and easy exercise.
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings (TSE:8725) Highlights Its US Business, Is The Upside Already Priced In?
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings (TSE:8725) put its U.S. operations in the spotlight at its recent Investor Relations Day, giving shareholders fresh detail on how that overseas unit fits into the wider insurance group. The recent Investor Relations Day lands after a strong run in the share price, with a 1-day share price return of 2.49%, a 7-day share price return of 5.05% and a 90-day share price return of 14.70% that points to building momentum. A 1-year total shareholder return of 63.73% and...
Consumer apprehension grows as US retailers adopt AI-assisted pricing tools
U.S. consumers are uneasy about the increasingly high-tech ways that restaurant chains and major retailers are setting prices.
Consumer apprehension grows as US retailers adopt AI-assisted pricing tools
U.S. consumers are uneasy about the increasingly high-tech ways that restaurant chains and major retailers are setting prices.
Consumer apprehension grows as US retailers adopt AI-assisted pricing tools
U.S. consumers are uneasy about the increasingly high-tech ways that restaurant chains and major retailers are setting prices.
Westfall Ag Students Visit Farm Science Review
Twenty-one Westfall High School FFA students recently traveled to the Molly Caren Agricultural Center for the annual Farm Science Review (FSR).
Guardant Health (GH) Stock Looks Below Fair Value On A Huge Run
Guardant Health has turned into a dramatic long term story for shareholders, yet the real question now is whether the current US$158.60 price can be supported by the cash flows its business is expected to produce. With the stock sharply higher over several years and new clinical and regulatory developments landing, the focus has shifted to what the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) view of its intrinsic value suggests about that price. Over the past 3 years the share price has risen by very large...
Is International Business Machines (IBM) A Bargain Or Fully Priced?
International Business Machines has delivered a strong multi year share price run. With the stock recently at US$232.14 and cash flows in focus, the live question is whether that price still lines up with what the business can earn and return over time. Over the past 5 years the share price has gained 130.1%, which puts a lot of weight on the idea that IBM’s future cash flows can justify a much higher valuation than in the past. Fresh commitments in areas such as quantum computing and...
Suns have 1 position as top 10 in the NBA
The Athletic isn't high on the overall talent and depth of the Suns roster despite coming off a playoff appearance.
Lionel Messi makes MLS history in latest Inter Miami masterpiece
By Jaime UribarriTo watch Lionel Messi with Inter Miami CF is to watch history unfold in real time.Case in point: Matchday 31’s Walmart Saturday Showdown.Messi scored a pair of highlight-reel goals ...
UFC Edmonton results, video highlights & full list of winners
A full look at the winners from Saturday night's UFC Fight Night in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
7 highlights from JD Vance's CBS News town hall: Iran, immigration, corruption and 2028 plans
Nebraska football vs. Oregon live updates, stats and highlights
Nebraska heads out west to face Oregon. The Huskers are coming off a 20-17 loss to Indiana, while the Ducks lost 17-15 to UCLA at Autzen Stadium.
Indiana high school boys soccer statewide semistate schedule, regional results
Here is the full schedule and pairings for the Indiana high school boys soccer semistate round on Saturday.
Scientists discover that male and female skin play by different rules
Scientists have uncovered a surprising difference in how male and female skin repairs and renews itself. By tracking individual skin stem cells in living mice for five months, researchers discovered that female cells work together in a highly coordinated way, while male cells operate more independently. This synchronization, driven by sex hormones, helps explain why wounds heal faster in female mice, especially during the first few days.
Is 99% Screening Adherence Altering The Investment Case For Guardant Health (GH)?
Guardant Health reported new data from its Shield blood-based colorectal cancer screening test, including modeling and rural clinic results, indicating very high real world adherence and meaningful impact on screening pathways for average risk adults. The 99% completion rate for Shield in two rural South Carolina clinics highlights how a simple blood draw can address screening gaps in medically underserved communities and reshape demand across Guardant Health's screening franchise. This...
The Watch: Hidden PFAS Found in Bottled Drinks, Tap Water
Sports drinks and electrolyte waters contained high levels of contaminants … ED visits spike when ‘peaker’ power plants fire up … and more.
Heat reduces photosynthesis in California redwoods
California redwoods reduce photosynthesis at high temperatures, which may affect their long-term survival and forests’ capacity to store atmospheric carbon.
Glenwood Behavioral Health highlights community resources for Depression Awareness Month
Glenwood Behavioral Health highlights community resources for Depression Awareness Month
What Science Says About Tooth Loss and Your Brain
Studies link tooth loss to higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Here's what the research shows, the leading theories, and what you can do now.
Jon Gruden Makes Strong Statement About Undefeated 49ers
Jon Gruden delivers high praise for the undefeated 49ers, calling San Francisco the cream of the crop ahead of its Week 6 matchup with Washington.
Easton’s Witches’ Walk back for 2nd year. Is the magic still there to draw 1,000 again?
New this year, the Twin Flame Experience — a local husband-and-wife duo — will perform theatrical fire-spinning shows between 6 and 7 p.m. both days.
Modern Warfare 4 Emerges to Best Call of Duty Steam Rating in a Decade
Modern Warfare 4 is the highest-rated Call of Duty game to hit Steam in over a decade, but will that persist when multiplayer gets here?
New exhibit honoring 50 years of SOS highlights latest Business After Hours event
For the past 10 months, SOS Inc. has been verbalizing its history with the community through a series of event...
This bird flies thousands of miles, but its wings have a catch
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected trade-off in the wings of the European nightjar, a bird that migrates thousands of kilometers but sacrifices high-speed flight efficiency to hunt insects with remarkable agility. Even more surprisingly, it generates thrust on the upward wingbeat, a technique that could inspire new flying technologies.
Cardiologists Share 10 Foods to Avoid With High Blood Pressure
From processed meats to sugary drinks, here are the foods and drinks to cut back on If you have hypertension.
Schmooze: WV natives return to Charleston area for film shoot 20 years in the making
West Virginia natives Chad Smith, Ryan Dorsey, Dustin Kerns and others came together to film a short film, "Schmooze," in Charleston from Oct. 15-19, 2026. The film is a thriller inspired by the movies they used to make together as students at Riverside High School.
Legendary chart-topping singer, TV host dead at 86: ‘Brought joy to generations’
She had a historic career.
Walmart says higher fuel costs will offset tariff refund benefit
Walmart previously said it wanted to plow tariff refunds into lowering prices, but now the company says higher fuel costs will erase that benefit.
Brenner named Guardian of Small Businesses
COLUMBUS – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Ohio’s leading small business advocacy organization, named state Sen. Andrew Brenner and state Rep. Meredith Craig as Guardians of Small Business, NFIB’s highest legislative honor. NFIB Ohio State Director Jared Weiser presented the awards at NFIB’s Ohio Leadership Council meeting Thursday.
Schmooze: WV natives return to Charleston area for film shoot 20 years in the making
West Virginia natives Chad Smith, Ryan Dorsey, Dustin Kerns and others came together to film a short film, "Schmooze," in Charleston from Oct. 15-19, 2026. The film is a thriller inspired by the movies they used to make together as students at Riverside High School.
Mark Ruffalo calls Gavin Newsom's billionaire tax stance 'disqualifying' ahead of California vote
Mark Ruffalo slammed Gavin Newsom for opposing California's billionaire wealth tax, calling it "disqualifying" for anyone with ambitions for higher office.
Retail price impacts from the Iran war are uneven but add up for US households before midterms
High fuel prices are making it more expensive to drive, fly and buy some goods more than seven months into the U.S.-Iran war.
High school football: Friday's scores
Results from CIF City and Southern Section high school football games on Friday, Oct, 16.
Valencia football takes care of business in matinee win over Canyon
High winds or a moved-up kickoff time, nothing stopped the Vikings from winning on Friday as Valencia came away with a 71-7 over the Cowboys and spoiled Canyon’s senior night. […]
10/16 Gridiron Glory
PADUCAH, Ky. — Check out the scores and highlights from week 9 of Gridiron Glory below.
World Mental Health Day highlights support and resources in East Tennessee
Knoxville, TN News, Weather, and Sports
Georgia Affordable Care Act health insurance premiums set to rise dramatically
Georgia marketplace health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act could skyrocket as high as 29 percent next year.
Quakertown football wins fourth straight with victory over CR North
Quakertown dispatched Council Rock North in a Suburban One League Continental Conference high school football game. The Panthers have won 4 straight.
Kid Chemist in Metro Detroit: Hands-On Science, Open Play, Classes & Birthday Parties
Kid Chemist offers classes and activities for students from Pre-K through high school, with programs designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and make science fun. Families can visit locations in…
Good Sports: Bulldog Blitz descending back into the Valley
Some traditions are just too good to stay grounded as a Valley skydiving team is making its way to high school football games.
Traverse City Central's New 'Ride Lab' Uses Skateboards to Teach Physics, Business Skills
What if the most effective physics classroom isn’t a classroom at all, but a skate park? This fall, Traverse City Central High School is experimenting with that very question. Brett Derr is one the teachers behind the Ride Lab, a brand-new double-block course at Central that combines physics, business, marketing, and advertising. In the past, …
High school students pitch business ideas at 2nd annual Youth Shark Tank competition
High school students from New Hanover and Pender counties pitched original business ideas to a panel of judges Friday during the Genesis Block Foundation’s second annual Youth Entrepreneurship Shark Tank Competition at Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station Building.
Dreaming Big, Building Better: Hugg & Hall Reaches A Major Milestone
Hugg & Hall Equipment Co. celebrates 70 years in business, highlighting its Arkansas roots, family leadership, growth and innovation in construction equipment.
High school students pitch business ideas at 2nd annual Youth Shark Tank competition
The event is part of a two-part youth pitch series designed to introduce students to entrepreneurship, build their confidence and give them a chance to present ideas while receiving feedback from judges, according to the Genesis Block Foundation.
NBA bans certain types of sports bets following high-profile gambling scandals involving players
The NBA is banning certain player prop parlays and other wagers while expanding measures to detect suspicious betting activity and protect players from harassment.
Tense meeting in Braddock over new strip mill leaves residents frustrated
Tensions ran high Thursday evening at the Carnegie Library in Braddock, where borough residents asked members of the Allegheny County Health Department’s...
Gaston’s science department launches rock collecting project
By Caylie Moore, Features Editor Since the beginning of the school year, Gaston High School students have been working on a pen pal project — but don’t underestimate the point of this assignment, Features Editor Caylie Moore cautions. This project is no ordinary exchange of simple letters, nor unnecessary busywork for a drawn-out English class, […]
Nvidia's RTX Spark Event in San Francisco Attracts Long Lines, But Few Buyers
Dozens lined up to check out the first RTX Spark laptops on launch day, but actual purchases were few and far between, with curious Nvidia fans citing the machines' high cost.
Tech stocks erase $1 trillion of wealth as oil surges to $110 for the first time since May
The sharp drop in tech shares came as concerns resurfaced about ballooning AI debt, rising interest rates and high gas prices.
California falls short on Medi-Cal fraud, state report says - The Business Journal California auditor flags Medi-Cal fraud oversight concerns
California's state auditor raises concerns about Medi-Cal fraud oversight, citing millions in questionable claims and thousands of high-risk providers not under investigation.
Apple blames ‘extraordinary’ demand as foldable iPhones sell out
Deliveries of the $2,000 Duo slip to 2027 within hours of going on sale
Airline High School students run their own store to build real-world business skills
Airline High School students are getting a hands-on lesson in business through the Viking Exchange, a student-run store designed to help prepare them for the workforce and life after graduation.
Business Insider: The Winners and Losers of the New H-1B Era
Partner Catherine Macris discusses how evolving H-1B policies are shaping employers’ ability to recruit foreign talent, particularly in highly specialized fields.
Sports Overtime: Week 8 (Friday, Oct. 16, 2026)
Watch highlights and view scores from Week 8 of the 2026 NSAA football season.
Hilary Swank responds to 'too old' remarks over pregnancy at 52
"Yellowjackets" star Hilary Swank is taking the high road.
Lions Sixth-Rounder Gill-Howard: ‘I Belong in This League’
One Division II offer out of high school, and Skyler Gill-Howard is now in the Lions' rotation. #OnePride
Hyundai recalls more than 94,000 vehicles over fire risk
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports Hyundai is recalling more than 94,000 Genesis G80 and Hyundai Genesis sedans over a fire risk.
Measles cases spike by 37 in the past week
Lancaster County’s measles cases continue to climb with 37 new cases in the past week, the highest rise in people sickened with measles in a seven-day period since early September.
Hackathon Welcomes STC Cybersecurity Students
For South Texas College Cybersecurity student Athena Vallejo, presenting to high school students at one of the college’s signature events is an opportunity to show them a future they can build for themselves.
Dave & Buster's Entertainment Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NASDAQ:PLAY)
Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY - Get Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading on Friday. Investors purchased 5,009 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 37% compared to the typical daily volume of 3,653 call options.
Microplastics Have Been Linked With Myriad Human Health Problems. Scientists May Have Finally Figured Out How They Harm the Body
Lab experiments suggest that tiny bits of plastic can react with water inside us to produce highly reactive molecules. They can lead to damaging oxidative stress and inflammation
Microplastics Have Been Linked With Myriad Human Health Problems. Scientists May Have Finally Figured Out How They Harm the Body
Lab experiments suggest that tiny bits of plastic can react with water inside us to produce highly reactive molecules. They can lead to damaging oxidative stress and inflammation
What Impresses Titans the Most About RB Nick Singleton
Coach Randy Jordan reveals why the Penn State rookie’s explosive physical tools offer a high-upside solution as Tennessee navigates looming contract decisions for its veteran backfield.
Small business optimism dips in September NFIB survey
Small business optimism slipped in September as owners grappled with rising costs, higher interest rates and a persistent shortage of qualified workers, according to a monthly survey released by the National Federation of Independent Business. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.8 points to 97.9, just below the survey’s 52-year average of 98.0. The […]
Sell Rating Could Be A Turning Point For Sphere Entertainment Stock (SPHR)
Argus recently cut its view on Sphere Entertainment to a SELL rating, citing weaker scores on management quality, growth potential, and valuation, while assigning only medium marks to financial strength and the industry backdrop. The downgrade highlights a key tension in Sphere Entertainment’s story: an experience-heavy, capital-intensive model that faces questions about execution discipline and long-run profitability. This raises the question of how Sphere Entertainment's investment...
Berlin's High-End KaDeWe Store Opens Dedicated Health Hub
KaDeWe department store dedicates 2,000 square meters to training, recovery and exclusive fitness brands and includes biohacking and Lagree studio.
Nature Rx Day Highlights Nature's Impact on Mental Health
Free webinar and day-long live events on November 4.
Texas Upstream Employment Down in September
Citing the latest Current Employment Statistics (CES) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) highlighted new employment figures for the Texas oil and natural gas industry. According to TIPRO, employment in the Texas upstream sector decreased by 500 jobs between August and September 2026
Local health insurance broker highlights changes coming to Medicare, healthcare policies in 2027
As over a million Coloradans review their healthcare plans for Medicare’s open enrollment period — running from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 — a local health insurance broker is preparing
Travelers earnings rise as commercial insurance pricing stabilizes
Travelers reported higher third-quarter earnings Friday as commercial insurance pricing stayed largely stable and investment income rose.
SACE’s $31 billion US portfolio underscores the strength of Italy-US business ties
Italy’s export credit agency, SACE, has €27 billion in outstanding commitments in the United States, highlighting the strong economic ties between the two countries. The agency is actively facilitating Italian companies’ access to the US market and attracting investment into Italy, with a focus on high-value sectors like advanced manufacturing and strategic technologies. SACE’s presence in the US underscores the growing integration of Italian industrial supply chains into major American projects
NCAA sues Ohio gov. over eligibility order for 5th-year athletes
The NCAA has filed a federal lawsuit against Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine three days after he signed an executive order giving the state's colleges and universities the option of allowing athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 to play a fifth year.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs moved to new prison after reports of luxury lifestyle
The hip-hop mogul has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reports that the he was living the high life and was injured in a fight at his New Jersey lockup, a source said
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of Oct. 12, 2026
Each week we highlight five things affecting the life sciences industry. Here’s the latest.
How Hürzeler’s Tactics Have Changed Brighton in 2026/27
The German tactical mastermind has weaponized relentless high-pressing and clinical efficiency, transforming the Seagulls into a fearless scoring machine that currently rivals Europe’s most elite heavyweights.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs moved to a new prison after reports of a luxury lifestyle behind bars
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reports that the hip-hop mogul was living the high life and was injured in a fight at his New Jersey lockup | WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM
Registration is open for high school winter sports
Registration is now officially open for high school winter sports for the City School District of Albany! Any student in grades 9-12 who is interested in trying out for boys' basketball, girls' basketball, bowling, cheerleading, boys' indoor track, girls' indoor track, spirit team, boys' swimming and diving, boys' wrestling and girls' wrestling is invited to register via Final Forms. Important: please note that registration for winter sports ends on Friday, Nov. 13. Practices and tryouts for winter sports begin on Monday, Nov. 16. FINAL FORMS Each season, the following must be done prior to the first day of tryouts and practices: A parent or guardian must initiate the registration process for their student-athlete in Final Forms, filling out the required forms such as Interval Sports Health History and the Athletic Consent Form. The student-athlete must sign and complete their required forms. A reminder that all students who would like to play an interscholastic sport need to have a current physical conducted within a year on file. PHYSICALS A physical conducted within the last 12 months is mandatory for any student interested in trying out for an athletic team and must be uploaded into the Final Forms platform. Families are encouraged to get a completed physical from their child's physician. If you are unable to get a physical from your child's physician, you can schedule a free physical with Whitney Young's school-based health center by calling (518) 573-2556. Additionally, the district physician will also be available to facilitate sports physicals at Albany High in room 4253 on the following dates: Thursday, Nov. 12 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sports physicals on Nov. 12 and 13 are free and no appointment is necessary. ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Please note that students must have a good attendance record and be in good standing academically to be eligible to participate in an athletic team. Eligibility is determined based on quarterly grades, and interim progress reports will serve as an important academic checkpoint for all student‑athletes. For additional details about academic eligibility, please see our Athletic Code of Conduct. For our winter teams, academic eligibility to start the season will be based on final first-quarter grades. The first marking period ends Nov. 13. Albany High offers free tutoring facilitated by Albany High teachers Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5 p.m. for students who need extra help with their academics. See this flyer for additional details. IMPORTANT DATES Seniors, please mark your calendars for Senior Media Day for winter sports, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 30. All student-athletes playing winter sports will also participate in our winter sports picture days, which will take place Tuesday, Dec. 15–Thursday, Dec. 18. Specific dates and times for each team will be shared once rosters are finalized. OPEN GYM SESSIONS Student-athletes are encouraged to check out our open gym sessions as they prepare for upcoming sports seasons. We’re looking forward to a rewarding winter sports season this year! If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Department at (518) 475-6310. Go Falcons!
Skubal Refused to Discuss Future After Dodgers Elimination
After a stunning NLCS sweep, Tarik Skubal faces a high-stakes free agency that could shatter records and ignite a bidding war between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
Can AI solve our mental health access problem?
Last week I asked you what worries you most about AI in health. It was close, but your top answer was “AI giving bad health advice.” Last week’s poll results: You’re in good company. This concern was top of mind at a conference I joined at Stanford last week, where researchers, clinicians, and people who build AI systems spent a day debating trust and safety in health AI. Stepping back, I’m also hearing your emerging concerns about AI’s impact on our well-being generally. I see this as a matter of public health, and we’ll take it in pieces as we learn together. Today we’ll focus on AI chatbots used for therapy for mental health. Early this month, Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 903, California’s most ambitious attempt to regulate AI use for mental health. It’s at the center of active debate, and raises the questions patients, family members, citizens, and voters will face as AI moves deeper into health care. Let’s work through it. What is “AI-based therapy”? It’s really two things: purpose-built mental health apps designed to deliver structured support, and general chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini that people increasingly use for emotional support—even if they weren’t built for it. Spoiler alert: I don’t know whether the shift toward AI therapy is good or bad. The evidence isn’t there yet. But I do know it’s already happening, and I have some ideas about how we can roll it out with safety in mind. The therapy dilemma, in a nutshell Mental health challenges are common, and strain health and well-being across populations. Therapy (interactive dialogue with a trained, empathetic practitioner) helps many people heal. The demand for licensed therapists far exceeds the supply in California, and AI-based therapy can narrow that gap. AI-based therapy remains novel, unproven, and not well tested. Right off the bat, we can see we’re dealing with trade-offs here. Since the main driver of demand for therapy from a robot is lack of access to therapy from a human, we’ll start there. It’s too hard to find and afford a human therapist California is short roughly 55,000 licensed, non-prescribing therapists and counselors, about 40% of what we need. Psychiatrists, who rely on talk therapy as a complement to prescribed medications, are even more scarce. Eight counties have none, and density ranges from 1.7 per 100,000 residents in San Benito County, to 68.1 in Marin County. My wife is a psychiatrist in Marin, and even here access is tight. If it’s hard in the best-supplied county, imagine rural Sierra County, or the San Joaquin Valley. In 2024, more than half of Californians who tried to make a mental health appointment struggled to find a provider who took their insurance, compared with 14% for physical health care. When Senate staff posed as “secret shopper” patients and called 120 mental health providers in Medicare Advantage networks, they landed an appointment less than once for every five tries. Insurers pay behavioral health clinicians about 22% less than medical and surgical clinicians for comparable office visits. On top of that, billing denials and prior authorizations hit hardest at the solo and small practices common in mental health. Psychiatrists opt out of Medicare at the highest rate of any specialty. In many places, a cash practice for therapy fills quickly with patients paying $250 or more an hour, with no insurance paperwork at all. Families who can pay cash find providers more easily. Those who rely on insurance, including Medi-Cal enrollees, older adults, rural residents, and non-English speakers, compete for what’s left. So we can’t pretend the human system works, and we can’t blame people for turning to AI for support when they’re in distress. AI is filling the gap It’s estimated that roughly a quarter of AI users use it for mental health support. If you have internet, it’s available 24/7, it’s cheap, and it speaks your language. Uninsured adults are about twice as likely as insured adults to do it (30% vs. 14%). It feels anonymous in ways that may enable people to ask things they’re unsure or embarrassed about. The largely hidden, personal use makes it hard to study whether it’s actually helping people with their mental health issues, but researchers are trying. Does AI therapy work? A 2026 analysis of nearly 40 randomized trials found chatbots showed a real but small reduction in depression symptoms. But most of these trials were compared to an alternative of no therapy, not a human therapist. So the benefit of AI therapy is probably real, but modest, and mostly untested against the alternative of human contact. We need more studies. Serious concerns OpenAI’s own estimate is that more than a million ChatGPT users each week show signs of suicidal planning or intent. These are high stakes encounters, and AI doesn’t always get it right. That’s partly because a chatbot can sound like a therapist, but it has no license, no duty of care, and it’s not clear who to hold accountable when it gets things wrong. AI is also designed to help users in whatever task they’re seeking to accomplish. People may feel like they’re getting therapy, but they’re mainly getting a convincing conversation. It’s easy for an AI companion to wander into gray areas, like playing along with “creative writing” that may be about the user’s own suicidal intent. Courts are driving safety conversations A wave of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of families claiming that chatbots pushed people they loved toward self-harm, including teens who died by suicide. The first settlements came this year. OpenAI is headquartered in San Francisco, and dozens of cases alleging that ChatGPT drove users to suicide or self-harm are now before a San Francisco judge. Character.ai has filed for bankruptcy after several states brought lawsuits accusing the chatbot of pushing dangerous content to kids. But the technology seems to be improving. Last month, an independent evaluation found that newer AI models “almost never endorse suicide.” That’s progress, but our societal appetite for even one preventable death is very low. So how do we move forward? Finding a middle ground Earlier this month the governor vetoed Senate Bill 903, a bill designed to place guardrails on the use of AI for therapy. The bill would have prohibited any AI-based platform from being advertised as psychotherapy, and would have required a licensed professional to review and approve each encounter where AI was used to support therapeutic decisions. Newsom called it overly broad, since even routine screening questions would have needed clinician sign-off. Knowing we’re already short on mental health providers, requiring human review of AI encounters may not relieve our access problems. Still, the answer isn’t no oversight. Here’s one feasible short term solution. Rather than reviewing each encounter, a licensed clinician can design the guardrails: what counts as a crisis, what triggers an immediate handoff to a human, and what gets sampled for audit each month. The AI runs inside that structure. Conversations get checked, failures get reported, and a real clinician owns the framework. Medicine already has models to learn from. The FDA process for rolling out newly approved medications is an example. After a product reaches patients, we keep watching for adverse events. Patient-facing AI needs the same “digital pharmacovigilance”: systematic tracking of harms, near misses, and the types of groups that get hurt and why. It’s also critical that users know that they can reach a human if they’re in crisis. Most chatbots now include messages like these: Bottom line The rush to use unproven AI tools for mental health support is mostly a workaround, a sign of a health system people can’t get into. We need better access to proven care from licensed clinicians. That takes reimbursement that makes accepting insurance viable, and a bigger workforce. But, built and tested well, AI could be part of the answer. It could be the 2 a.m. check-in when no one else is awake, or a way for patients to practice skills their therapist taught them. It could be the first step to get someone the right level of care, and take paperwork off clinicians’ plates so they spend more time with patients. None of this is simple. The SB 903 veto doesn’t end the debate, and the legislature will be back. In the meantime, those of us using these tools need to stay informed, ask hard questions, and hold the companies building them accountable. I’ll try to do my part, and we’ll keep learning together. Love,Matt P.S. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988- you’ll reach a real person— or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Dr. Matt Willis is the author of Your Local Epidemiologist in California. A California native, he’s served as a primary care physician, CDC epidemiologist, and public health officer for Marin County, where he guided the pandemic response. He lives in Marin with his family and their dogs, Teddy and Ramona. Thank you Cynthia He, MD, PhD, and Parnika Saxena, MD, for their guidance in preparing this article. Cynthia works in an outpatient mental health clinic, treating patients who have Medi-Cal or, sometimes, no insurance. Parnika works in an inpatient psychiatric unit, treating patients with public or private insurance or self-pay ability. All opinions are their own and do not represent their employers.
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Plague is stoppable. The next health threat may not be.
The word plague is scary. Centuries ago, the Black Death killed tens of millions of people and changed the course of history. Plague still kills people around the world, and the word still evokes catastrophe. New fears of plague surfaced on October 2, when a lab worker in Irkutsk, Russia, died of pneumonia. Reports suggested that she may have contracted plague through a laboratory exposure. Understandably, people were alarmed. On October 7, the World Health Organization called for the Russian Federation to be transparent about what it knew. WHO issued an update on October 10. Russian authorities told WHO that testing did not identify plague and that investigations found no laboratory release. WHO said confidence in its risk assessment remained limited and that further clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory information was needed. The cause of the woman’s illness remains unknown, and WHO says a laboratory-associated exposure cannot be excluded. As I explained in a recent interview, this incident is very unlikely to lead to a pandemic. Plague is still active, including in the U.S., which sees a handful of cases each year. But it is a disease we can prevent and treat. Plague doesn’t spread readily, and it responds to antibiotics. The standard response—isolate the patient, trace contacts, and administer antibiotics and monitor for symptoms among contacts for seven days—works. We have even planned for antibiotic-resistant plague. At CDC, we developed a playbook for antibiotic-resistant plague and ran exercises on how to find and stop it. CDC guidance anticipates engineered resistance and recommends two different classes of antibiotics if there’s reason to suspect it. There is no evidence that resistance—or even confirmed plague—is involved in this incident. We have thought through how to address plague, but we’re not ready for the next major health threat that emerges from a lab or from animal spillover to humans. What should concern people is how little stands between the world and the next pathogen to get loose. Since peak COVID, epidemic preparedness has fallen off the political agenda, but the risk is greater than ever. More labs handle dangerous pathogens with more ways to make those pathogens deadlier, and more people live and work in close contact with animals. There are actions we can take now: We need better lab safety in every country. The number of labs that work with dangerous pathogens has increased worldwide over two decades, but there’s no enforceable international standard and no inspection regime; the Biological Weapons Convention, fifty years on, still has no verification mechanism. Labs that study dangerous germs need strong safety systems, training, and oversight. We need to reduce spillover events. Three in four emerging human infections start in animals, and there’s a lot we can do to reduce spillover risk, but the world is doing very little of it. Live-animal markets are one place to act. For instance, closing live-bird markets helped control H7N9 influenza in China. Reducing opportunities for people to encounter infected animals can prevent infections before they become outbreaks. In The Formula for Better Health, which is now out in paperback along with the hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook versions, I argue that labs do too many risky experiments with too many dangerous pathogens in too many institutions, and that every experiment should first answer one basic question: Is the likely benefit greater than the risk? Spillover risk can also be reduced: In the book, I discuss how Brazil cut its deforestation rate by 70% from 2004 to 2012 while increasing agricultural production and reducing risky contact between people and forest animals. We need faster detection and response. Delay costs lives. Strong surveillance, good labs, and trained responders can turn a single case into a small cluster of infections instead of an epidemic. Resolve to Save Lives has worked for nearly a decade to help countries find and stop outbreaks faster. The 7-1-7 target, which Resolve to Save Lives developed with partners in Uganda and elsewhere, provides a clear standard: detect within 7 days, notify within 1 day and complete all essential early response actions within 7 days. In Uganda’s Kasese district, for example, a review of a measles outbreak using 7-1-7 identified shortages of accessible funds, fuel, and vehicles that delayed the response. District leaders established funds they could access quickly. When, a few months later, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever appeared, the district detected it in three days, notified authorities in one, and mounted an effective response in two. Only one case was confirmed, and the patient survived. Because funds were available before the emergency, authorities were prepared and able to act. This kind of preparation can’t wait until the next crisis begins. Plague is an old disease we that know how to stop. The next threat may be harder to recognize, harder to treat, and easier to spread. Safer labs, less risk of spillover, and faster outbreak detection and response need sustained investment now, while we still have time to prevent the next emergency. Share